Buildings, signage, landscaping and other elements of the streetscape should be artfully designed to reflect the character of Seward. To do this, time, energy and resources should be invested to design (not just produce) those elements.

Multi-Modal Movement

People from outside the neighborhood (who will most likely arrive by car, LRT, bus or bike) should easily be able to get to Franklin. Once here, it should be intuitive for visitors that arrive by car to park and then walk around the neighborhood.

For people in the neighborhood, biking, walking and public transit are primary modes of transportation. We should make changes to the Avenue so that pedestrians, bikes, wheelchairs, strollers, skateboarders, etc. have a safe and pleasant experience so they can use all of the parks, restaurants, shops and other resources on Franklin.

Identity

Franklin Avenue is part of the Seward neighborhood, the main street and our front door. Franklin’s identity should express the character of Seward as a whole. Key elements include that we are culturally diverse, arts-aligned, green, a destination, safe, comfortable and accessible.

Local Sourcing

Decision Making – our community is organized, well-informed and committed to leading decision making and implementation of changes in our neighborhood

Shop locally – Seward residents and business owners use our dollars to support local businesses.

Work/employ locally – Encourage employers to hire local talent; create opportunities for people who live in the neighborhood to find a local job; and create ways for people who work in the neighborhood to find a place to live in the neighborhood.

Stewardship and Safety

Franklin Avenue should look well-cared for and have well maintained places where people can gather. These neighborhood gathering places are active throughout the day and into the evening, where neighbors can have eye-to-eye contact, where community conversations happen and where the seeds of community activism grow.

Seward is Green

Literally – Franklin needs more trees, plants and landscaping – both because these things make Franklin a more comfortable and attractive place and also because they contribute to the environmental health and sustainability of our neighborhood and the world.

Buildings – Buildings should contribute to the environmental health of our neighborhood through reduced energy consumption, on-site storm and waste water management, reuse and recycling of materials and other green technologies.

Infrastructure

Seward does not want the City or County to tear up and replace our infrastructure but instead to explore ways to repair/reuse existing infrastructure whenever possible.

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Franklin Avenue Planning

Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, MN USAPlanning for Franklin Avenue, from the Mississippi to the Light Rail Station. Also including the area to the east of the Light Rail line that is south of Franklin.

Comments to the blog entries are encouraged. Just click on "comments" at the end of each blog entry to make your comments.

About Franklin Avenue Planning

Early in 2006, the Riverside Market Task Force formed to discuss the redevelopment of the former Riverside Market. The group composed of residents, property owners, and businesspeople explored options for this site and offered their recommendations. One of the five recommendations was to complete a comprehensive plan for the entire Franklin Avenue corridor, from the river to the train.